Comments (9)

Rivers have been neglected since responsibility for management was merged with water boards at the formation of Water Authorities, the predecessors of our now commercial companies. Another case of private affluence, public squalor. Good luck with the riparian entertainment, as long as it doesn't lower the Tone any further.

Rivers have been neglected since responsibility for management was merged with water boards at the formation of Water Authorities, the predecessors of our now commercial companies. Another case of private affluence, public squalor. Good luck with the riparian entertainment, as long as it doesn't lower the Tone any further.KevinTurvey

You really do have to question the validity of a story that starts off telling us there's some potential disaster, goes on to tell us that we need 'an annual regatta' and finally reveals the motive of increasing tourism in the area. I can't understand how the mayor thinks that a river is going to be some huge attraction - especially given the fact that the areas surrounding the river are places that drug users and alcoholics congregate and demonstrate various anti-social behaviours. It's hardly going to rival the Henley Regatta, is it? Unless, of course, part of the plans include medieval-type stocks where one can throw rotten tomatoes at the peasantry from the safety of one's yacht.

You really do have to question the validity of a story that starts off telling us there's some potential disaster, goes on to tell us that we need 'an annual regatta' and finally reveals the motive of increasing tourism in the area. I can't understand how the mayor thinks that a river is going to be some huge attraction - especially given the fact that the areas surrounding the river are places that drug users and alcoholics congregate and demonstrate various anti-social behaviours. It's hardly going to rival the Henley Regatta, is it? Unless, of course, part of the plans include medieval-type stocks where one can throw rotten tomatoes at the peasantry from the safety of one's yacht.GreatOdin'sRaven

The course of the River Tone through Taunton has massive potential but, unfortunately, there are too many unstarted & unfinished projects alongside it to realise this potential. Until progress is made on these white elephants then any work done to the Tone will be pointless.

The course of the River Tone through Taunton has massive potential but, unfortunately, there are too many unstarted & unfinished projects alongside it to realise this potential. Until progress is made on these white elephants then any work done to the Tone will be pointless.rolo130267

All this reporting of a dramatic issue that someone is raising, nowhere does it mention who is raising it!
Is it some knowledgeable group who has looked into all in detail and come to a conclusion which they are trying to bring to attention?
Or as GreatOdin'sRaven notes, is it just someone trying to make a big fuss because they have a commercial interest?

It does rather make a difference, doesn't it Somerset County Gazette?

All this reporting of a dramatic issue that someone is raising, nowhere does it mention who is raising it!
Is it some knowledgeable group who has looked into all in detail and come to a conclusion which they are trying to bring to attention?
Or as GreatOdin'sRaven notes, is it just someone trying to make a big fuss because they have a commercial interest?
It does rather make a difference, doesn't it Somerset County Gazette?topcataj

The river used to be dredged every few years and well maintained from French weir to fire pool , now it is far to shallow and silted up . We were lucky to escape the floods the levels had last winter , the question now is not if taunton will flood but when ! , it will happen sometime. If taunton had not had flood prevention work done 40 years ago then we would have had repeated flooding now . Current neglect will make taunton flood prone again sooner rather than later .

The river used to be dredged every few years and well maintained from French weir to fire pool , now it is far to shallow and silted up . We were lucky to escape the floods the levels had last winter , the question now is not if taunton will flood but when ! , it will happen sometime. If taunton had not had flood prevention work done 40 years ago then we would have had repeated flooding now . Current neglect will make taunton flood prone again sooner rather than later .Bob L

Bob L wrote:
The river used to be dredged every few years and well maintained from French weir to fire pool , now it is far to shallow and silted up . We were lucky to escape the floods the levels had last winter , the question now is not if taunton will flood but when ! , it will happen sometime. If taunton had not had flood prevention work done 40 years ago then we would have had repeated flooding now . Current neglect will make taunton flood prone again sooner rather than later .

Spot-on. It's just a giant sedimentation tank

[quote][p][bold]Bob L[/bold] wrote:
The river used to be dredged every few years and well maintained from French weir to fire pool , now it is far to shallow and silted up . We were lucky to escape the floods the levels had last winter , the question now is not if taunton will flood but when ! , it will happen sometime. If taunton had not had flood prevention work done 40 years ago then we would have had repeated flooding now . Current neglect will make taunton flood prone again sooner rather than later .[/p][/quote]Spot-on. It's just a giant sedimentation tankKevinTurvey